College Hockey:

For the past 18 seasons, the MIAC has been dominated by a pair of teams — St. Thomas and St. John’s. The Tommies have won at least a share of the regular-season title 13 times, while the Johnnies have taken home the crown the other five times.

In recent history, the MIAC has become a two-horse race as St. Thomas and St. John’s have finished one-two the past four seasons. Last season was no different — until the playoffs.

That’s when St. Olaf and its modest 8-5-3 conference record made a miraculous postseason run, knocking off St. John’s, 3-2, in the MIAC semifinal, then, crushing St. Thomas, 5-1, in the MIAC Championship, to earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately for the Olies, the run ended in the first round as Wisconsin-Superior pulled out the 2-1 victory.

As for a two-horse race this season, St. Thomas coach Terry Skrypek doesn’t see that.

“Well I think the MIAC, in all the years I’ve been here — and this is my 20th year — I think it’s probably the most balanced it’s ever been in terms of top to bottom,” Skrypek said. “I don’t there’s any game that you can take for granted.”

2006-07 MIAC

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St. ThomasLast season: 13-2-1 MIAC, 17-9-1 overallBiggest games this season: Jan. 26 vs. St. John’s, Jan. 27 at St. John’s

St. John’sLast season: 11-3-2 MIAC, 16-7-3 overallBiggest games this season: Jan. 26 at St. Thomas, Jan. 27 vs. St. Thomas

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